Tag Archives: Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra

Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra: Another View

In response to a laudatory article about the non-union Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra titled “This orchestra wants no conductor: How Kaleidoscope aims to move in different directions” published in the LA Times by Rick Schultz on Feb. 13, 2019, we share another view written by AFM Local 47 Director Vivian Wolf. Kaleidoscope refuses to sign onto an AFM contract and currently appears on the union’s Do Not Work For list for failure to pay musicians according to industry standards. Along with the entire Executive Board, Wolf is deeply concerned about this situation, and Local 47 will continue to reach out to Kaleidoscope in order to discuss organizing the orchestra and its musicians under an AFM agreement.

It was with great interest that I read the article by Rick Schultz describing the Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra. The article was highly laudatory and indeed, there is much to praise about the ensemble founded by Benjamin Mitchell. It is the only conductor-less orchestra in the Los Angeles area, it brings music to unique venues and champions new repertoire. What it doesn’t do, is pay the performers a fair wage. In fact, by refusing any involvement with the American Federation of Musicians Local 47, Kaleidoscope is exploiting the enthusiasm and energy of its young musicians. Even though the ensemble receives many large contributions, the orchestra does not have any kind of contract and certainly doesn’t offer the players any health or pension benefits — benefits that would be in play under a union contract. Continue reading →

Non-Union Concert Goes AFM

Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra was placed on the American Federation of Musicians International Unfair List and AFM Local 47 Do Not Work For List earlier this month for failure to pay musicians according to industry standards.

A week later, as a direct result of these actions, Kaleidoscope was canceled for a high-profile engagement they were scheduled to do in Anaheim for the company Music Paradigm for an engagement historically conducted under union contract. Once the employer was made aware that Kaleidoscope would not guarantee fair wages and benefits to the musicians, they instead hired a Local 47 contractor to secure an all-AFM orchestra.

We are stronger together! If you are called for a non-union engagement, please submit a report to Local 47’s Anonymous Tip Line: 424-341-DARK (3275), bit.ly/darkdate

AFM Int’l Unfair List: Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra

Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra has been placed on the American Federation of Musicians International Unfair List for failure to pay musicians according to industry standards.

The organization also appears on the AFM Local 47 Do Not Work For List.

If you are called for an engagement, please submit a report to Local 47’s Anonymous Tip Line: 424-341-DARK (3275), bit.ly/darkdate

Non-Union Alert: Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra

AFM Local 47 has been in discussions with Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra, a conductorless chamber orchestra based in Los Angeles, to try and bring them into an appropriate AFM contract. Unfortunately they have not agreed to sign on to a union agreement.

Their next concert takes place Nov. 18, 2017 at Walt Disney Concert Hall. If you are contacted to perform with Kaleidoscope, please be aware that at this time it is a non-union date with no union contract protections. We recommend that AFM members not participate until such a contract is in place.

Any musician performing at a major venue like Disney Hall deserves to earn a fair wage and benefits in line with industry standard. By making orchestras available for dirt cheap, employers come to expect bargain rates that undermine musicians’ ability to pay their bills.

Members contacted to perform with Kaleidoscope are encouraged to alert the President’s office at 323.993.3181.